topic Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device in Mobile Broadband

Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

Scotty13ell — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 10:08:24 GMT

Hi there,

I was wondering if I can unlock a 4gee mini wifi device to all networks. My mum found it in a cupboard and has no use for it, also has no other info about it with regards to existing sims/numbers etc.

I'm with another network with my current wifi device and wanted to use the sim in the ee one so I've always got one charged for out and about when I'm on the road with work.

Thanks

Scott

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

EssexBoyEE — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:02:30 GMT

You can do do assuming it's not been Blacklisted.

Although you can unlock them they will still retain the EE Firmware and a lot of the Older ones only have Bands 1, 3 & 7 and don't have Band 20 for 4G use Installed, meaning with O2 or Vodafone who primarily use Band 20 for 4G Sim Authentication, so you may only get 3G Speeds in Rural Areas on these Networks when it defaults back to Bands 1 or 7.

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

Scotty13ell — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:53:41 GMT

How do I go about getting it unlocked. i cant find any registration documents anywhere. just know shes had it about 4/5 years or so

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

EssexBoyEE — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:03:55 GMT

If it's a Branded EE one, which sounds like it could be, it's probably an Alcatel, then EE can unlock for you for about 8 quid.

Word of warning though as you say you have no documentation, you will need the WiFi Password or the Default WiFi Password (for Factory Reset) as well the the Admin Login Name and Password to the Routers Home Page, normally admin and admin on older EE MiFi as you will need access to all this info inorder to 1, unlock it and 2, to change Network Settings with different Sims.

So bottom line if you don't have the above details then it's all a bit of a non starter I'm afraid as EE won't have your required information.

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

Scotty13ell — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:10:41 GMT

it has the sticker on with all Wifi key info, identification number of the device etc. confirmed that the password never been changed from the wifi key on the sticker etc.

should that be ok? it is EE branded too

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

James_B — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:13:53 GMT

Hi @Scotty13ell,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

Please see Unlocking your EE mobile phone or device for help with unlocking your 4GEE router.

Thanks

James

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

EssexBoyEE — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:21:46 GMT

Yea, as long as you have the WiFi Name and Password, that's the main one to have, and if it was changed, then by doing a Reset it will roll back to that Sticker one anyway.

The other one for admin use will be like I said probably, user admin, password admin, on homepage 192.168.1.1 if not Google will help you with that as they were fairly generic.

Might be worth putting another Network SIM in the first to try it, never know, might get lucky, some did slip through the system unlocked from EE.

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

Paul1simon — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 21:41:30 GMT

I have a 4GEE WiFi Mini 2020. I’ve been onto the EE website to unlock, entered the correct IMEI and now can’t get any further? It’s just showing my device details & an exclamation mark in a yellow circle? I’m assuming this means I can’t unlock it, but not sure why?!

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

James_B — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 07:04:46 GMT

Hi @Paul1simon,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

Please could you share a screenshot of the webpage where you get stuck?

Thanks

James

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

Paul1simon — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 08:02:46 GMT

Hi James

Here you go

Thanks

Paul

[Mod edit: Image rejected due to it containing personal information.]

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

James_B — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 07:25:12 GMT

Thanks @Paul1simon

Have you tested your device with another SIM to check if it is already unlocked?

James

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

Paul1simon — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 13:15:16 GMT

Yes - just done this with my 02 phone sim & doesn’t work - see attached

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

James_B — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 13:30:19 GMT

Thanks for checking @Paul1simon

Please get in touch with Customer Care so a member of the team can request the unlock at their end for you.

They'll be happy to help. 🙂

James

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

Brookers55 — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 19:39:13 GMT

Please note the link to which this takes you does not work. If appears to be defunct. If you do not have a phone number to enter it is useless. It does not work for mini wifi devices. You waste a lot of time entering the IMEI so don't bother.

EE mini wifi devices appear to be unlockable. Customer services were unable to help as well.

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

XRaySpeX — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 22:48:34 GMT

@Brookers55 : Mobile routers contain a SIM & therefore have a mobile no. Look at http://add-on.ee.co.uk/status from a device connected to your mobile router by WiFi to find your mobile no. at top.

Try calling CS on the Freephone no. (Opt 2) in my sig.

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

alexrparr1096 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:52:41 GMT

I've got one of these too and an trying to use a Vodafone SIM in the device. I get an error on the IMEI input page. Any more recent help available here? I want to use an old device and repurpose it for when i go to my holiday cabin, but i dont have an EE SIM - is the only fix to sign up to EE? I thought locking devices wasnt allowed or does that only apply to mobiles?

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

Katie_B — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:16:38 GMT

Good morning @alexrparr1096.

Welcome to the EE Community.

If your IMEI umber is not being recognised please get in touch with our customer care team who can help with unlock your 4G mini.

Katie

Re: Unlocking a 2nd hand 4g Mini Wifi device

OpusElite — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:44:55 GMT

A new update to an old thread...

I picked up an old Osprey from EE (model Y855) and successfully got an unlock code from EE using this page:

https://ee.co.uk/plans-subscriptions/mobile/settings-permissions/device-unlock

Although the confirmation email said a reply could be up to 7 days, I received the unlock code via email the next day.

They also sent this useful link with info on the Osprey:

http://eeosprey-unlock.like.pl/